The Regiment

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The enlistment of this corps was begun in the autumn of 1811
when war with the United States seemed all but inevitable. On the 1st
December of that year, Sir George Prevost wrote to Lord Liverpool, the Colonial
Secretary:

I have sent Capt. Macdonell, of the King's Regiment,
into the townships where the Glengarry emigrants are settled in Upper Canada,
to ascertain their ability to form a regiment of light infantry. Capt. Macdonell
is selected for his zeal, ability and intelligence, with a name and national
character acceptable to them, and the same religious persuasion, as
they are all Roman Catholics."

Colonel Edward Baynes, Adjutant General to the regular
forces in British America, was nominated as colonel of the regiment:
Major Francis Battersby, of the King's Regiment, as lieutenant-colonel
commandant, and Capt. George Macdonell as major. Its establishment was then placed
at one lieutenant-colonel, one major, eight captains, ten lieutenants, six
ensigns, one quartermaster, one adjutant, one paymaster, four staff sergeants,
twenty-four sergeants, one drum-major, nine drummers, twenty-four
corporals and three hundred and seventy-six privates. In consideration of his eminent
services in promoting the formation of the regiment, the Reverend
Alexander Macdonell, Parish Priest of Glengarry, (afterwards the first Roman
Catholic Bishop of Kingston,) was appointed chaplain, with the understanding
that he would not be required to accompany it to the field. The headquarters
were fixed at York, in Upper Canada. The non-commissioned officers and men were
enlisted for three years, or until six months had elapsed after authentic
intelligence of the conclusion of peace. They were required to serve in the two
Canadas and such other parts of North America as the exigencies of the war might
lead them. The regiment was to be composed as much as possible of the Glengarry
emigrants. All recruits were to be between seventeen and forty years of age, and
not less than five feet three inches in height. Six guineas for each man was
allowed as levy money.

On the 24th of March, 1812, Prevost announced that, in
consequence of the threatening aspect of affairs in the United States, he had
issued a beating warrant for the levy of the regiment without waiting to
receive His Majesty's commands, and selected officers for it from the several
regular regiments in the country eligible for promotion, as being best adapted
for the force, but in order that there should he no interference with the
Canadian Fencibles, which was then being recruited in Lower Canada, he had
prohibited the enlistment of French Canadians and recent immigrants from the
United States.

Recruiting proceeded rapidly, and on April 1st Col. Baynes
was able to report that, although he had not received complete returns, one
hundred men had been fully approved and fifty more intermediately. Many of
these men had already seen service in a Highland Regiment, and it was at first
proponed to equip them with a Highland uniform to gratify their national sentiment.

After the disbandment of the Highland Fencible
Regiment in 1799, several hundreds of these men, after passing some months in
their native country, emigrated to America. They were led to this emigration
from local feelings of deep disgust in finding their friends or themselves
stripped of their little farms to make way for sheep-farmers, a system that
much prevailed in those districts at that time. ....They were a brave, hardy,
well disciplined set of men, well calculated to act as riflemen."

Our success has been beyond the expectation of the
most sanguine," Baynes wrote on the 20th of May, " but I assure you
that no labour or expense has been spared. The emulation, to obtain priority of
regimental rank has proved a most powerful incitement. Some of the officers
have traveled upwards of 300 miles along the frontier of the townships on foot,
carrying their packs on their backs. Sir George Prevost was good enough to
sanction any taking material for the first clothing from the King's store, but,
finding that the corps would lose much of its popularity if the green clothing
was relinquished, I have purchased all the green cloth in this, place (Quebec)
and have commissioned a sufficient quantity to equip the regiment to render it
efficient for immediate service."

I have, of course, subjected myself to many bad
debts. If I am not appointed colonel, I am half ruined."

On every occasion the officers engaged in the work of
enlistment received invaluable assistance from the indefatigable chaplain, who,
to use his own words, " had directed his attention in time of peace to
nourish and foment the loyal principles of their ancestors in the minds of his
flock, and to preserve them from republican principles, which, by means of the
uncontrolled influx of emigrants from the United States, he found rapidly
diffusing through every part of the province."

In the western part of the Province of Upper Canada, where
there were few Scotch settlers, Macdonell does not appear to have met with
much success. In a letter to Colonel Baynes, dated at York on the 26th of
January, General Brock said:-

Captain Macdonell, accompanied by the priest, arrived
here some days ago. The badness of the weather has prevented his return as soon
as he proposed. All the junior commissions being already disposed of among the
youth of Glengarry. I fear that little can be done in this part of the province
towards recruiting the intended corps. A few idlers may be picked up, but
without the aid of persons of influence no great number can be expected,
unless, indeed, the militia be called out and land promised."

In consequence of this explanation, and an assurance from
the Executive Council of the province that a grant of land would be made to
recruits, Prevost consented to add two companies, whose officers were to be
nominated by General Brock.

On the 14th of May Baynes wrote to Brock in high spirits
that recruiting was still being vigorously conducted:

I have great satisfaction in telling you that I have
reported, the Glengarry Light Infantry more than complete to the establishment
of 400 rank and file, and have received Sir George Prevost's command to recruit
for a higher establishment; indeed the quota the officers have engaged to
fulfill will nearly amount to double that number, and from the very great
success that has attended our exertions I have no doubt of succeeding by the
end of the year. Two officers have divided Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for
their hunting ground, and are permitted to recruit Acadians, and Lieut. Ranald
Macdonell of the Canadians proceeds in a few days to Pictou and the Highland
settlements on the coast and gulf; he is an officer that appears to be
eminently qualified for that service, and he is sanguine that the proffer of
lands in the Scotch settlements of Upper Canada will induce great numbers to
enter. I am assured that the men I have got are generally young and of good
disposition, there being very few Yankees among them."

On the 26th of May the Governor-General was able to state in
a letter to Lord Liverpool that the battalion had been completed to the
proposed establishment, and that four hundred fine young men were then
assembled at Three Rivers, under Major Battersby.

Never in thus part of the world," he continued
with unwonted emphasis, " was a corps of volunteers so numerous and so
select in the description of men, for none but British subjects of unsuspected
loyalty have been admitted in the battalion so speedily raised. They are
chiefly Scotch, or their descendants."

One great advantage which will result from the
Glengarry levy is restoring to their country many English, Scotch and Irish,
who have, from mistaken views, abandoned their native soil for that of the
United States. They have been invited to return to their allegiance and join
their comrades in arms in Canada."

A return of the 4th July showed that the battalion assembled
at Three Rivers numbered 19 officers, 28 sergeants, 22 drummers and 306 rank
and file.

On the 15th of July, Prevost announced that the corps was
more than complete, and that he had given orders to increase its strength to
600 rank and file, but had limited the Canadian Voltigeurs to 300 in
consequence of the depleted state of the military chest.

While the efforts of the recruiting officers had thus been
rewarded with remarkable success, the Colonial Secretary had become convinced
that there would be no war and determined to revoke his orders for the
enlistment altogether. Accordingly on the 30th of March, 1812, Lord Liverpool
wrote to the Governor-General, instructing him to suspend all steps for the
formation of the Glengarry Regiment, as he had been informed that the zeal of
the gentlemen who had undertaken to raise it had outrun their ability. His
successor, Lord Bathurst, referring to this letter on the 4th of July, stated
his belief that the scheme had been abandoned. Before either of these letters
were received by Sir George Prevost the regiment was fully equipped and war had
actually been declared by the United States. In a despatch dated the 10th of
August, Lord Bathurst finally gave his sanction to the organization of the
corps, and announced that he had directed clothing for 800 men, similar to that
worn by the 95th, to be sent to Quebec. At the same time the establishment of
the regiment was increased to 800 rank and file, and he promised that 100 acres
of land should be allotted to each man upon receiving his discharge, and his
claim secured, in the event of his death, to his wife and family.

As soon as the declaration of war became known at Quebec all
the recruiting parties were ordered to join their regiment, and recruiting was
suspended. The greatest exertions were made by the officers to prepare their
men for active service as soon as possible, and although much inconvenience and
some delay was caused by the want of suitable accoutrements and clothing, as
the stores shipped from England had not arrived, Sir George Prevost was able to
state, on the 16th of October, that eight companies of the Glengarry Light
Infantry were then on their way to the seat of war in Upper Canada to take part
in the defence of that province.

While yet on the march one of these companies was afforded
an entirely fortuitous opportunity of winning distinction almost within view of
their former homes. Upon arriving at Glengarry House, near Cornwall, it was
learned that a company of New York Volunteers, that had participated in the
attack on the Indian village of St. Regis, about a month before, was posted in
a blockhouse near the mouth of Salmon River, and it was proposed to expel this
force from a position which menaced the navigation of the St. Lawrence.

On the 22nd November, Capt. Roxborough's company of
Glengarry Light Infantry, with a few men of the 49th, accompanied by Majors
Macdonell and Clarke and Captain Gray, arrived at Glengarry House and formed
the design of attacking the American past at Salmon River. Orders were sent to
Colonels McLean and McMillan to march to that point with all the force they
could collect. As the flank companies were at Prescott Col. McLean was obliged
to call upon those living in the vicinity of Cornwall. In two hours 250 men
were collected at Glengarry House and the expedition set out at 11pm. At 1am,
we landed at a road a little below St. Regis, which leads to Salmon River. Ono
hundred men, under Lt.-Col. McLean, were sent to guard St. Regis to prevent
communication with Salmon River. The remainder, 150 in number, with about 30
Indians, proceeded through the woods to the place of destination. The advance
guard preceded the main body by sixty paces. Two bridges had to be crossed as
they approached the post. They had passed the first when the sentry fired and
was immediately shot down. When halfway over the second another sentry fired
and was also shot. Several shots were fired from the windows, into which
several volleys were fired by us. We ascertained that the Indians had given
them information of our coming three hours before, and they had shut themselves
into the blockhouse. When surrounded they surrendered ...a captain, ensign and
forty men. Three were killed to our knowledge, the prisoners say seven. None of
us were hurt. The whole business was over in fifteen minutes after crossing the
first bridge. We rushed on, Macdonell leading, Glengarry Militia in the second
rank, Indians in the rear."

Lieut. Walter Kerr, son of Dr. Robert Kerr of Niagara, was
present and distinguished himself at the battle of Queenston. General Sheaffe
acknowledged his services in the following terms: " I derived much aid
from the activity and intelligence of Lieutenant Kerr of the Glengarry
Fencibles, whom I employed in communicating with the Indians and other flanking
parties."

During the winter the regiment was quartered at Cornwall,
Prescott, and Kingston, to keep open the line of communication with Montreal.
The casualties for the year ending on the 25th December, 1812, numbered 125.
Among these were thirty-one deaths from disease or accident Thirty-men had
deserted from headquarters; thirty-six others, after being intermediately
approved, deserted while they were on the march to join their corps: five were
claimed as deserters from other regiments: one was sentenced to general
service; twenty-five were discharged as unfit for service after inspection. The
effective strength of the battalion at that date was thirty-six servants,
nineteen buglers and 550 rank and file, making a total of 730 enlistments in
nine months.

Mainly on account of his minute local knowledge and great
personal popularity among the inhabitants, Major Macdonell (familiarly known
in Glengarry as Red George) was selected for the command of the eastern
district of Upper Canada, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and established
his headquarters at Prescott. When Sir George Prevost arrived there on a tour of
inspection, about the middle of February, he solicited and with some
difficulty obtained permission to make an attack upon Ogdensburg, where the
enemy had formed entrenchments and assembled about 800 men, chiefly militia
from the adjacent country. For this enterprise Macdonell had at his command two
companies of the 8th Regiment, on their way to the Niagara, a flank company of
his own corps, a detachment of the Royal Newfoundland, and about two hundred
local militia, making n force of less than five hundred rank and file in all.
The passage of the river was effected on the ice in the face of a heavy
cannonade, in two columns, one under Macdonell’s own command, the other led by
Captain Jenkins of the Glengarry Light Infantry, composed of his own flank
company and seventy militia. The latter met with a determined resistance, and
Jenkins displayed indomitable courage in the struggle, which is described in
Macdonell's own words:

Captain Jenkins had gallantly led on his column and
had been exposed to a heavy fire of seven guns, which he bravely attempted to
take with the bayonet though covered with 200 of the enemy's best troops:
advancing as rapidly as the deep snow and the exhausted state (in consequence)
of his men would admit, he ordered a charge, and had not proceeded many paces
when his left arm was broken to pieces by a grape shop, but still, undauntedly
running on with his men, he almost immediately afterwards was deprived of the
use of his right arm by a discharge of ease shot; still heroically disregarding
all personal consideration, he nobly ran on, cheering his men to the assault,
till exhausted by pain and loss of blood he became unable to move. His company
gallantly continued the charge under Lieutenant Macaulay, but the reserve of
the militia not being able to keep up with them they were compelled by the
superiority of the enemy to give way, leaving a few men on a commanding
position and a few of the most advanced in the enemy's possession."

While thin stubborn conflict was in progress, Macdonell
turned the right of the American position with the other column and drove them
out of the village. The remaining batteries were then carried in a few minutes
and the victory was complete. The Reverend Alexander Macdonell was conspicuous
by his efforts to encourage his clansmen in the field.

The loss of the Glengarry flank company was quite severe.
Two privates were killed and Major Macdonell, Captain Jenkins, Ensign McKay,
two sergeants and seven rank and file were wounded. Ensigns Macdonell and
McKay were mentioned in despatches for distinguished conduct, the latter being
in charge of a field piece.

In March and April a wing of the battalion accomplished the
harassing journey to the Niagara frontier while, the winter roads were breaking
up. One company was present at York when that place was attacked, but, owing to
a misunderstanding on the part of the officer in command, was not seriously
engaged. It was, however, stationed in rear of the battery when the magazine
blew up and lost two men killed, Ensign Robins and three privates wounded and three
others missing. This company also lost most of its arms by the explosion, and
all its greatcoats and packs were abandoned in the retreat.

Three companies of the Glengarry Light Infantry formed part
of Gen. Vincent's Division in the engagement near Fort George on the 27th May,
1813. Ninety picked men of this detachment, supported by forty of Newfoundland
Regiment, were detailed for the desperate task of opposing the enemy's landing,
in the face of the concentrated fire of his whole fleet. When this gallant
attempt proved unsuccessful, Vincent assembled the remainder of his force near
the town. "This movement," he said, "was admirably covered by
the Glengarry Light Infantry, joined by a detachment of the Royal Newfoundland
Regiment and militia, which commenced skirmishing with the enemy's riflemen who
were advancing through the brushwood." In this disastrous action the three
companies of the Glengarry Regiment lost more than half their numbers. Captain
Liddle, Ensign McLean, one sergeant and twenty-four rank and file were killed;
Capt. Roxborough, Lieut. Walter Ker, three sergeants and twenty rank and file
wounded, besides two sergeants and twenty-three rank and file wounded and
returned as missing. They also lost their greatcoats and knapsacks, as these had
been left in quarters when they marched out in the morning, and they were
obliged to retreat directly upon Queenston. When the remnant of this detachment
arrived at Forty Mile Creek on the 30th May, it was found to muster only five
officers and fifty-eight non-commissioned officers and men.

While these events occurred on the Niagara, Captain
McPherson's company, numbering forty-six of all ranks, formed part of the
expedition from Kingston directed against Sackett's Harbor, and was employed in
covering the landing and advance of the remainder of the troops, a service
which was performed with admirable skill and discipline.

In his despatch describing this action, Colonel Baynes took
occasion to remark that, "the detachment of the 104th regiment under Major
Moodie, Captain McPherson's company of Glengarry Light Infantry, and two
companies of Canadian Voltigeurs under Major Heriot, all of them levies in
the British Provinces of North America, evinced mast striking proofs of their
loyalty, steadiness and courage."

In this obstinate engagement the Glengarry company lost more
than half its number - six men being killed, and Captain McPherson and nineteen
rank and file wounded.

A detachment of the regiment was next employed in the
pursuit of the enemy after their discomfiture at Stoney Creek, and Lieut. Wm.
Johnson Kerr (grandson of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant) commanded a
party of Mohawks in the successful action at the Beaver Dams on the 24th of
June, in which 542 Americans were taken prisoners.

In July several of the companies stationed in the eastern
district were pushed forward to the support of the division engaged in the
defence of the Niagara frontier, and took an active part in the blockade of the
entrenched camp which the enemy had formed adjacent to Fort George. In
conjunction with small parties of militia and Indians, they were constantly
employed on outpost duty, and were frequently engaged with the American piquets
and scouting parties, "tensing them and harassing them all day long."
Subsequently the entire battalion was assembled here, and with the light
companies of several regiments of the line formed a moveable column under
Lieut. Col. Battersby, for the special service of observing the movements of
the American fleet, which was then hovering about the head of Lake Ontario.
Guided by the smoke of burning houses, it was led in ineffectual pursuit by
forced marches from Niagara to Burlington, from Burlington to York, and then
buck to Burlington, for the invaders hastily re-embarked upon Battersby’s
approach.

Excessive fatigue and privation occasioned numerous
desertions from this in common with other corps, and the intense heat of that
memorable summer caused disease to prevail to a remarkable degree in the entire
division. A return of the 15th September shows that the Glengarry Light
Infantry, having its headquarters at the Cross Roads, was reduced to fifteen
officers and 245 effective non-commissioned officers and men, and with
thirty-four sick in the field hospital and thirty-seven elsewhere.

During the hurried and disorderly retreat of the division
from its lines in front of Fort George to Burlington Heights, on the 9th and
10th October, Lt.-Col. Battersby was assigned the difficult service of covering
the movement with this skeleton of a battalion, which was performed in an
exemplary manner in marked contrast to the haste and confusion which prevailed
among some other corps. During the month of November the Glengarry Regiment was
quartered in the vicinity of Burlington and Ancaster and was then withdrawn for
the winter to York and Kingston. The casualties for the year comprised
sixty-five deaths and one hundred and six desertions.

The campaign of 1814 in Upper Canada was opened by General
Drummond by an attack upon Oswego. The landing of the troops was covered by the
light company of the Glengarry Regiment, composed of 58 officers and men under
Captain McMillan, which cleared the woods of the enemy's riflemen in an
admirable manner. Nine privates were wounded on this service, and Captain
McMillan was especially mentioned in despatches for his gallant conduct in
leading the attack.

On the 8th of July the entire battalion was concentrated at
York for the purpose of reinforcing the division guarding the Niagara, which
was being forced to retire by superior members. It then mustered eighteen
officers and 391 effective non-commissioned officers and privates, and
thirty-five sick.

It was immediately pushed forward, leaving all the
non-effectives in garrison, and joined General Riall at the Twenty Mile Creek
on the 16th and 17th July. Together with the light companies of four regiments
of the line, it formed a light brigade under the command of Lieut.-Colonel
(afterwards Sir Thomas) Pearson and preceded the division in its advance to
relieve Fort George, then menaced by the entire invading army. On the morning
of the 22d July, Capt. Fitzgibbon, with a party-of picked men, advanced to
Queenston and discovered that the enemy was retiring towards that village. Two
companies of the Glengarries were instantly detached to the support of Colonel
Parry at the upper crossing of the Ten Mile Creek, where the Lincoln Militia
were fast assembling. Learning that the American army had actually retired
across the Chippewa, Col. Pearson marched from the Twelve Mile Creek at
midnight on the 24th with the Light Brigade and Incorporated Militia, about 800
men in all, and at seven o'clock next morning took possession of the high
ground at the junction of Lundy's Lane and the Portage Road.

The adroitness and imperturbable discipline with which the
Glengarry Light Infantry masked the British position that afternoon until the
line of battle was formed, has been recorded by a hostile witness who watched
their movements with involuntary admiration. The regiment then took its station
among the orchards on the right of the line, slightly in advance of Lundy's
Lane. While warmly engaged with the enemy's rifleman in the fields below, it
was fired upon from the rear by a small detachment of the Royal Scots, which
had just arrival from Queenston. This unfortunate mistake caused temporary
confusion and the loss of some men. When the American column advanced to the
assault of the battery the Glengarries were directed to retire into the Lane,
but as boon as this attack was decisively repelled they were again pushed
forward as far as the skirts of the woods, nearly half a mile in advance.
During the remainder of the action they maintained this position, and were
warmly engaged with the enemy's riflemen and militia, but, owing to the
excellent cover, their losses were not nearly as serious as those of several
other regiments. Four privates were killed, while Lieut. Kerr and thirty
privates weir wounded. Lieut. Robins and twenty rank and file were reported
missing, in his official letter Sir Gordon Drummond said that "the
(Glengarry Light Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Battersby, displayed
valuable qualities as light troops."

On the afternoon of the 3rd August, the Light Brigade was,
employed in a prolonged reconnaissance of the enemy's works at Fort Erie,
during which it was exposed to a spirited and well directed cannonade from all
their batteries as well as the armed vessels anchored in the river, and lost
several men.

Three days later a hot skirmish occurred, in which the Glengarry
Regiment was is pitted against the greater part of the 1st and 4th Regiments of
United States Rifles. " A sharp affair of outposts took place, the enemy
having thrown the whole of his riflemen into the woods in front of his position
for the purpose of driving away the Indians. The latter having retired
precipitately on the advance of the rifles, some of our most advanced picquets
also fell back. On being supported, however, by the Glengarry Light Infantry
in the first instance, and subsequently by the reserve, the enemy was driven
back, and our advanced posts quickly re-occupied." During this action the
American schooners briskly cannonaded the British position. The Glengarries
lost two killed, seven wounded and two missing.

The besieged lost no opportunity of annoying the working
parties and outposts as they approached their lines.

The enemy makes daily efforts with his riflemen to
dislodge our advanced picquets," General Drummond wrote on the 12th of
August, "and to obtain a reconnaissance of what we are doing. These
attacks, tho' feeble and invariably repulsed, yet harass our troops and
occasion some loss. I enclose returns of those of the 10th and of this day.
Your Excellency will observe with concern that on both occasions we have lost an
officer killed. I am happy to report that on every occasion the troops show
great steadiness, and invariably inflict a loss on the enemy more considerable
than their own. The Indians went forward with great spirit the day before
yesterday, and in the affair of this day, it has been just reported to me, they
surprised, took, and scalped every man of one of the enemy's picquets.

I cannot forbear taking this occasion of expressing to
Your Excellency my most marked approbation of the uniform exemplary good
conduct of tho Glengarry Light Infantry and the Incorporated Militia, the
former under command of Lt.-Col. Battersby, and the latter under Major Kirby;
of tho services of the latter officer, I regret to say that I have this day
been deprived by two wounds, which I trust will prove slight. These two corps
have constantly been in close, contact with the enemy's outposts and riflemen
during the severe service of the last fortnight; their steadiness and
gallantry, as well as their superiority as light troops, have on every occasion
been conspicuous."

In the skirmish of the 12th of August Major Morgan, who
commanded the American riflemen, was killed with several of his men, and the
remainder were, driven into their works in great disorder.

During the assault on the morning of the 15th August, the
Glengarry Regiment formed part of the reserve, and lost, but a single private
wounded. Captain Thomas Powell of this corps, who was acting as an assistant to
the Quartermaster-General, volunteered to conduct Col. Fischer's column to the
attack of the left of the enemy's entrenchments. He was the first man to enter
their works, and " by his coolness and gallantly particularly
distinguished himself." fortunately he escaped the perils of that
disastrous night with but a slight wound. " Capt. Powell's zeal and
gallantry," said General Drummond, " was most conspicuous. His
exertions have at all times been so unremitting as to merit my warmest
approbation."

On the morning of the 7th September this officer again
distinguished himself in a dashing attack upon the enemy's outposts, which he
both planned and conducted.

The enemy's picquet (No. 4) was surprised at daylight
this morning. Of its advance party, which consisted of twenty-one men and an
officer, not one escaped; fourteen, including the officer, being killed, and
seven wounded and taken prisoners. The main body of the picquets fled towards
the fort, pursued by our troops close under the guns of the place, and must
have suffered very considerably from our fire. Our loss has been only one
killed (private of 6th) and one slightly wounded."

The British force engaged in this gallant exploit consisted
of a company of Glengarry Light Infantry and one of the 6th, under the command
of Capt. R.D. Patterson of the latter regiment, joined as it advanced by the
piquets posted on the road leading from Platow's house to Fort Erie.

On the 14th September, the greater part of the Glengarry
Regiment being employed on outpost duty, it was warmly engaged in repelling a
violent attack by about 400 riflemen, led by Major Sinclair, in which that
officer and a considerable number of his followers were left dead on the field.

On the 17th the entire battalion took a conspicuous part in
defeating a much more formidable sortie, under Sir Gordon Drummond's personal
supervision.

I myself witnessed," he wrote, " the good
order and spirit with which the Glengarry Light Infantry, under Lieut.-Col.
Battersby, pushed into the wood, and by their superior fire drove back the
client's light troops."

Maj.-General DeWatteville, commanding the division, reported
that " Lieut.-Col. Pearson, with the Glengarry Light Infantry under
Lient.-CoI. Battersby, pushed forward by the centre road and carried, with
great gallantly, the new entrenchment, then in full possession of the
enemy."

Three privates were killed and nineteen wounded in this
action.

When the siege was abandoned, and the division commenced its
retreat five days afterwards, the Glengarry Regiment was selected to cover this
movement, and for several days remained encamped at Palmer's, in front of Black
Creek, with its outposts thrown forward along the river and the Ridge Road, in
hourly expectation of an attack.

In the course of the next fortnight the American army was
reinforced by General Izard's division, and Drummond retired behind the
Chippewa, leaving fifty men of the Glengarry Light Infantry at Black Creek and
the remainder of the regiment at Street's Grove, to observe the enemy's
movements. On the 13th October General Izard advanced to Black Creek, which he
bridged during the night. In the morning he continued his march to Street's,
the " Glengarry Light Infantry retiring before them in the most perfect
order and with the utmost regularity." A line of piquets was then posted
in front of the tete du pont at Chippewa and maintained until the morning of
the 15th, when they were driven in by the whole of the American army, supported
by the fire of several heavy guns.

On the 17th Izard suddenly retired and detached a brigade to
threaten the right of the British position. The Glengarry and 82nd Regiments,
and flank companies of the 104th, under the command of Col. C. Myers, were
dispatched to oppose this movement, and a collision took place at Cook's Mills,
where there was a bridge over Lyon's Creek, a branch of the Chippewa. The
American brigade, under General Bissell, composed of the 5th, 14th, 15th and
16th U. S. Infantry, with detachments of Rifles and Dragoons, had driven off a
militia piquet and taken possession of the bridge and mills. The advance-guard,
consisting of about 750 men, was then posted on the right bank of a deep
ravine, or gully, leading down to the creek, a short distance from the mills.
"A part of the Glengarries," Col. Myers wrote in his report,
"turned around a small wood, which covered the American front, and crossed
the head of the ravine, while the remainder pushed through the wood and drove
in their light troops in admirable style, when a part of their force crossed
Lyon's Creek to annoy our left. Having a reconnaissance in view, and finding
this not attainable owing to the thickness of the woods, I retired the
Glengarries in the hope of drawing the enemy forth to the open ground and
engaging him in a general action. This had no further effect than to induce him
to advance to the skirts of the wood, showing two columns on the left and one
on the right, and opening a heavy fire of small arms, which, from the distance,
we sparingly returned, but from the fire of our six pounder and rockets their
columns on our left suffered severely." Failing to draw out the enemy, Myers
retired his troops to their cantonments at Wilson's house, keeping outposts
in contact with theirs until the afternoon of the 20th, when they retired
without burning the mills, and as Drummond remarked with apparent surprise,
"having studiously abstained from plundering and burning" throughout
these operations. The British lost one private killed and Captain McMillan of
the Glengarries and thirty-five men wounded. Bissell stated his loss at twelve
killed and fifty-five wounded.

The Glengarry Regiment was then directed to join the brigade
under Gen. DeWatteville at Chippewa, and on the 21st October their position was
again menaced by the appearance of Gen. Izard's army, but it soon retired,
leaving only a few piquets in sight. On the 23rd, Drummond advanced in pursuit
and ascertained that the enemy "had not a man on this side of the heights
opposite to Black Rock, where his advance was posted." He then returned to
cantonments, leaving an advance guard at Black Creek, with outposts and patrols
beyond. On the 30th, Captain Fitzgibbon, of the Glengarry Regiment, returned
from scouting and reported that the enemy had blown up and abandoned Fort Erie.
He had been through every part of the works and found that they were totally
ruined.

No further military operations took place before the
conclusion of peace, when the regiment was disbanded, the non-commissioned
officers and privates receiving grants of land in various parts of the Province
of Upper Canada.